In a dramatic reversal, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged with a slight advantage over former President Donald Trump nationally and in key battleground states, according to polling conducted in the lead-up to the Democratic convention. This remarkable turnaround comes just four weeks after President Joe Biden abandoned his candidacy, leaving Harris to take the lead.

Recent polls, such as the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos national poll, show Harris leading by 6 points among likely voters, with a 51 percent to 45 percent margin. The CBS News/YouGov poll also gives Harris a 3-point lead. Moreover, Harris has gained a lead in several swing states, securing enough electoral votes for an Electoral College majority.

Harris' strong showing is a cause for concern for Trump and his campaign. The New York Times and Siena College polls indicate that Harris holds at least a 4-point advantage in crucial swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Although Trump remains in striking distance and could secure a victory by flipping just one of the "blue wall" states, the timing of Harris' ascendance is particularly notable. She entered the race just eight days after the assassination attempt against the former president and shortly after Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican convention in Milwaukee. At the time, Trump appeared to be in a stronger position, rallying support from Republicans after the shooting.

Traditionally, the summer months are volatile in campaigns, with the party not holding the presidency benefiting from a convention bounce. However, it is Harris who has seized the momentum since the conclusion of the Republican convention last month. Her continued rise in popularity, coupled with a convention bump, could position her as a significant favorite in the race.

Examining the reasons behind Harris' lead, it becomes apparent that voters' trust in Trump is limited to specific areas like the economy. The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows that Americans trust Trump over Harris on economic matters. However, when it comes to personal attributes, Harris surpasses Trump. Poll respondents view her more favorably, with a 45 percent favorable rating compared to Trump's 35 percent. Additionally, Harris holds the upper hand on qualities like honesty, mental sharpness, understanding the problems of the people, and representing personal values.

Harris' competitiveness in swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina extends beyond the topline numbers. She is attracting younger, more diverse voters - a crucial demographic for Democratic candidates. The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll reveals that Harris leads among voters under the age of 40, even though Biden and Trump were neck-and-neck with this group the previous month. Additionally, Harris is gaining support from Black and Hispanic voters, who make up significant portions of the electorates in these critical states.

Harris' appeal to Black voters is particularly noteworthy. The New York Times/Siena College Sun Belt-state polls indicate that Harris leads among Black likely voters by a significant margin. Even Suffolk University/USA Today polling shows Trump receiving limited support from Black voters. While there are outliers showing high support for Trump among Blacks, the overall trend suggests that Harris, with her Black and South Asian ancestry, will secure a comparable share of Black voters.

Protecting democracy ranks high among voter concerns, and Harris is seen as more trustworthy on this issue compared to Trump, according to the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll. This advantage extends to Sun Belt swing states, where Harris holds an 8-point lead on handling democracy.

As Harris approaches the Democratic convention, she finds herself in a stronger position than Hillary Clinton in 2016 but a weaker position than Biden in 2020. Conventions typically result in a 4-point bounce for the hosting party, and historically, the party with the most significant improvement during these events maintains its gain in the final week's polls.

With the conventions underway, Harris has a unique opportunity to solidify her support and further widen the gap between her and Trump. While no campaign is without uncertainties, Harris' momentum and growing favorability make her a significant contender in the race for the presidency.

In this unconventional campaign season, where conventions may hold more weight than ever, all eyes are on Harris as she seeks to build on her current lead and secure a path to the White House come November.